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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Austell

2024-12-31-accounts

St Austell Parish

Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ending 31/12/2024

Holy Trinity Church Church Street St Austell Cornwall PL25 4FZ

Incumbent:

Rev Jonathan Huff (From 11th July 2024)

Principal Bankers:

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Barclays Bank Lloyds Bank 10 Church Street White River Place St Austell St Austell PL25 4AS PL25 5AZ

Independent Examiner:

Tina Kelly Cuckoo House Nanstallon PL30 5LD

Registered Charity No. 1135008

St Austell Parochial Church Council (PCC) 1.1.2024-31.12.2024

Revd Jonathan Huff (from 11.7.2024) - ex officio, Incumbent Sara Moult ex officio, churchwarden Bonnie Zaphiriou ex officio, churchwarden Richard Rashleigh (Treasurer) Katrina Hurst (PCC Secretary) Clive Nichols Jane Wingrove Steve White Georgia Jenkins Heather Batho ex officio, Deanery Synod Alan Gilbert ex officio, Deanery Synod Jonny Dant ex officio, Deanery Synod Jamie Moore ex officio, Deanery Synod Revd Paul Zaphiriou ex officio, Diocesan Synod, Rural Dean Lesley Lawther ex officio, Deanery Synod

Vicar’s Report

It is a joy and a privilege to be sitting here writing my first “annual vicar’s report” for you all! First and foremost because the fact that I’m sitting here at all to me demonstrates the incredible faithfulness of God. All of those months of Lydie and I praying for “what next”, and He has answered our prayers so extravagantly… all of those months (had we known it!) of you all praying for “what next” with no plan B (!) and He has answered these too.

I’ve said this a few times from the front of all three of our churches, but our arrival here has felt to Lydie and I like coming home, even though in the geographical sense that couldn’t be further from the truth. Behind the sense of homecoming, I believe, is the reality that we are where we are supposed to be, with the people we are supposed to be with, doing what we are called to do. So… a huge THANK YOU from both of us to you: for welcoming us so extravagantly and making us part of the family, but also for nurturing a hunger and a zeal for the Lord that is at the very heart of who you are and what you do.

Now to business! Although I’ve only been here in-post coming up 10 months, there’s been so much going on that I couldn’t possibly report on it all. Hopefully the reports which follow will give you a good sense of all this activity. From my perspective, just a few highlights to share.

My first six months were spent meeting people, getting up to speed on how things work within the parish as an organisation, and committing wholeheartedly to serving and leading the parish in its worshipping life. My priorities for this time were building relationships and Sunday worship. As a parish, our commitment to and love for one another is one of the things that makes us distinctive and marks us out as wholehearted followers of Jesus: something which makes a big impact on visitors and newcomers coming through our doors on Sundays. It was something we experienced and celebrated fully on our parish weekend away earlier in the year.

Some of the fruit that I see coming from these priorities – which remain! – is that as a parish we are growing numerically and flourishing spiritually, with new people arriving regularly on Sundays at Holy Trinity and St Levan’s and growing teams and ministries to support this. Prayer ministry has been a key focus in this regard, and I’ve been working closely with Clive to grow the team and embed core values and practices. One of our priorities (which is listed as a parish DNA in the vision/parish profile) is encountering the Holy Spirit in worship – something for which effective prayer ministry is essential – and the launch of the new evening gathering in March has made room for this in a new way, with its emphasis on space, flexibility and simplicity.

One of the areas in which we are flourishing particularly clearly is in our work with children and young people. Lesley will say more in her report, but it is significant that in a national Church which struggles to reach the younger generation, we are

growing in this area on Sundays and in our midweek outreach. Our recent Youth Alpha was very fruitful in this regard!

We exist, after all, to make Jesus known to the world, so it’s been very exciting to join a church which is running Alpha three times a year, and we celebrate all the baptisms and dedications we’ve held this year as a result… including baptising around a dozen new believers in the sea (some in freezing February!)

Part of understanding the parish as an organisation has required getting to grips with its governance and the protocols, processes and issues that come with it: things like finances, team structures, policies and procedures. I’ve been working with lots of different people on such things in the background, and although these are not usually the things which get talked about, they are vital in ensuring that the main things – mission and ministry – remain the main things. We are digging foundations for a fruitful future! Thank you to everybody who is working hard in this area.

I must also thank our incredible staff team who work so hard to lead our parish in the mission and ministry for which we exist. Across the board these are gifted, generous, selfless heroes who demonstrate the love of God so abundantly. It has been so hard saying goodbye to some of them in recent months, with Bonnie and Hilary stepping down and with the loss of our dear Paul. We also rejoice because of new appointments, including Jonny (as ordinand), Lara (Flourish) and Steve Williams (Associate Minister).

All-in-all, and with reference to our Parish Vision:

But this is just the beginning! Here’s to the next year of following Jesus together!

With love,

Jonathan

Churchwardens’ Report

After the installation of our new vicar, Jonathan Huff, in July last year, Bonnie’s and Sara’s first concern was to support him in establishing himself in the role. Now more than six months down the track, Jonathan has made the parish his own. Sara has served an extra year, authorised by the PCC, beyond the usual six-year term limit for Churchwardens and her extended term of office ends at the APCM.

Bonnie resigned as Churchwarden in March and we all owe her massive thanks for all her hard work and especially everything she put in place for the team producing our handbook and guidance for employees.

I know everyone will be praying with us for the selection of two new Churchwardens.

Bonnie Zaphiriou and Sara Moult

PCC Secretary report

It has been a very busy year for the PCC with our new Vicar, Jonathan, joining us. Therefore we have met every month apart from August,

Katrina Hurst

Electoral Roll Report

Once in every six years, the preparation of a new church electoral roll takes place. This means that everyone must come off the roll and re-apply. On our new roll we have 165 members.

Rachel Smith

Electoral Roll Officer

Deanery Synod

2024 was a busy year for the Deanery.

It all started at our February meeting when Paul Zaphiriou Rural Dean and Mike Rowe Lay Chair presented a document proposing reconfiguring the Benefices in the Deanery. The rationale behind this was to make the vacant posts more attractive to applicants. This seems to have worked as by the end of year we had filled all of our vacant posts.

The Deanery held 4 meetings during the year and over the next 3 meetings we received talks including Poverty and Community Engagement from the parish Nurse in Goran.

Support for Low Income Families by Erica Payne from the Dockyard Collective based in Truro, and a Q and A session of two of our new appointments led by our Rural Dean Paul.

We also discussed if we should change the name of the Deanery as some people thought that when we talk about St Austell Deanery, we mean St Austell parish. The feeling of the parishes was that the rebranding was not necessary and that St Austell was the centre of the area and people recognised it as such.

Mike Rowe (Deanery Lay Chair)

Diocesan Synod Report

The Diocesan Synod meets 3 times each year in May, September and November. In 2024 the September meeting was of the Triennium following the elections in July.

In the May meeting we looked at different patterns of ministry across the Diocese including local lay leaders and oversight ministers.

At the September meeting with the new synod, synod took a look at how synod works with input from officers of the Diocesan Synod. In November the theme of Synod was ‘With and for those in need’.

We received a presentation from Dr. Tanya Ovenden-Hope (TOH), Professor of Education at Plymouth Marjon University and Dean of Place and Social Purpose, and the ‘Rurality Matters’ work. Dr Tanya Ovenden-Hope (TOH) introduced herself and her research: The research has been conducted on place and social purpose, with a focus on education. We also heard from other Parishes from around the Diocese that are working ‘With and for those in need’.

Also, at the November meeting we received the Budget presentation from Sophie Eddy Director of Finance. We then voted on the proposed budget for 2025 of which the majority were in favour.

Mike Rowe (Diocesan Synod Rep)

Worship

New Worship Leaders

Over the past year the worship team has adopted a co-leading model on Sunday mornings (two worship leaders per week) to encourage and train several of our emerging worship leaders. This model means they can take more responsibility for the planning and delivery of Sunday’s sung worship alongside a more experienced leader. We have also welcomed two new members this year.

Evening Gatherings

Our main focus since the autumn has been preparing for evening gatherings, which started in March. This gathering has required a more free-flowing style of worship leading, a different tech setup, and an additional songpool of 60+ songs. We have spent time as a team developing the skills needed to fulfil this well.

Thursday@11

I have continued to support Jane with the sound and media requirements for this weekly gathering including training new volunteers to support her with setup and operating the iPad and iSingWorship software.

Sound Team

In the autumn I ran a live training session for the sound team and created a Sound of Holy Trinity document to provide a brief of how I would like the sound on Sunday mornings. There was also a training session for the different setup and sound required for the evening gatherings.

Media Team

The media team also had training on how to fulfil the different requirements of the evening gatherings and how to use the new media cabinet that we have recently commissioned (a big thank you to Justin Hanson for his time and expertise on this). This new cabinet is a permanent housing for our Media PC and offers faster setup/packdown, fewer connection issues, and protects the PC from the wear and tear damage that was naturally occurring by continually unpacking.

Youth Band

I have continued to coach youth band with the support of Talea and then Berna. We meet most weeks (on a Thursday afternoon) and currently have 5 young musicians attending - we would love a few more! The youth band led worship at an all-age Sunday morning gathering in September and February, with another scheduled for 27th April.

Parish

In January I oversaw the installation of two small screens at the front of St Levan’s church in Porthpean (a big thanks to Keith Palmer for his time and expertise on this). This has allowed the congregation to have song lyrics shown on screens (via iSingWorship) and a way to show notices slides, sermon slides, and videos each week, including one showing photos of the Church Weekend Away at Lee Abbey. The next step is to install some permanent speakers to replace the temporary trolley speaker they are currently using.

Christians Together St Austell

I have continued to support the Christians Together in the town and took the lead role in the planning and executing the ecumenical Church in the Square event on Good Friday. I also led the band that provided sung worship during the event. This was once again a great success and warmly received by those who attended, despite us having to be inside again this year due to the wet weather. Hopefully we can be outside next year!

Deanery

Beyond the parish I have supported;

Jamie Moore (Worship Minister)

Alpha

Over the past year, as a church, we have successfully run four Alpha courses, (including one Young Adult Alpha and one Youth Alpha course). We have seen a

total of 55 helpers and guests involved across the courses. We have seen multiple people turn to faith in Christ either for the first time or reaffirm their belief. We have had over 15 people get baptised following their Alpha course. It has been incredibly moving to see people not only turn to Christ but also to see their lives embedded in wholehearted discipleship groups. Roger and Jan formed an Alpha follow-up Life Group, and have been regularly meeting in their home to encourage one another in their faith. Many of the guests have also been involved in the helping of subsequent Alpha courses as co-leaders, which has been really inspiring to see their faith in action. We are looking forward to starting a new Alpha course in September, so please be praying about who you can invite.

Jonny Dant

Children’s and Youth Ministry

It’s been another wonderful and fun year of activities, outreach and growing disciples!

Since the last APCM we’ve seen growth in the number of families who’ve joined us and we now regularly have 30+ children and young people going out to our groups on Sunday mornings.

We continue on with our different groups and initiatives across the year which as well as Sundays includes; Woven girls’ discipleship group, Youth Café, Sundays at the Loft, Light Fest, Winter Wonderland, Easter Fun Day, Easter Experience, Flourish project, Sunshine Toddler group, Christingle, our youth camp to SPREE in the summer and various other youth events across the year. We also hosted our first Youth Alpha in January.

We’ve taken lessons in Sky School at Eden and regularly take Collective Worship at Bishop Bronescombe. The Easter Experience brought 2 new schools into church and it was great to make links with these.

It’s been a busy year for Rosie as she has been in the final year of her degree and has had some weighty assignments to write as well as leading and planning all the

things she does here for us. I’m very grateful for her and all she has given over these last 4 years. We’ve also been gifted Berna for the year as our SWYM intern from Germany. She has been a joy and has connected well with our children and young people. We will miss her when she goes home in the summer.

Rosie and I were very excited to attend the Youthscape National Youth Work conference in November and we came back inspired, equipped, laden down with resources and excited for all that God is doing here in St Austell and will continue to do.

Looking ahead we want to build and strengthen our links with our local secondary schools and we have plans to begin a small group for our teenage boys. We continue to build our team of amazing volunteers to help support all of this. We value your ongoing prayers. If you have any questions about anything we do, please come and chat to us!

Lesley Lawther

Thursday Gatherings

These gatherings have developed a reflective style of worship, allowing for people to join in the time of prayer together. I'm now encouraging others to take part in leading the prayers and doing the readings. We use iSing, Peter on the organ and Benjamin to enhance the worship. We have communion once a month. Our numbers range between 16 and 30! We are definitely a developing community and all are welcome at this midweek sanctuary!

Jane Wingrove (Anna Chaplain)

Buildings and Maintenance Report

During the last year the PCC have been proactively looking after our building and land. We have also been looking at future projects. Below is a summary of some of our actions.

Maintenance

Larger Projects

Quinquennial Inspections

I would also like to say a big thank you to Keith Palmer who deals with various maintenance items at Trinity Centre particularly in the café.

Clive Nichols

CAP (Christians Against Poverty)

St Austell Parish has continued to be the lead church for CAP operations in the St Austell area. Edwina Sleeman, who is a member of White River Community Church, is our Debt Centre Manager, and Craig Glanville, who is a member of the Clays Community Church, is a Debt Coach. There are also befrienders who are drawn from various churches around the area, and several of these churches support CAP financially with monthly standing orders. The Board is made up of Kevin Prinsloo (White River Community Church), Jenny Taylor (Methodist) and Heather Batho

(Chair, St Austell Parish). We work in conjunction with St Austell Foodbank and are also involved in offering Life Skills training.

During 2024 support and advice was given to help many people become debt free, learn how to budget, and generally manage their finances in a more appropriate way.

All of this takes place in the context of sharing God’s love to all. Clients are asked if they would like prayer, and most respond positively. Care for families is also an important part of the work of CAP and individual gifts for each child of clients, and care and food packages for adults are all distributed at Christmas and at other times as needed.

Heather Batho

Walking for Health

Our Walking for Health group is part of St Austell Healthcare’s Social Prescribing set up, and as such we frequently have new walkers referred to us through local surgeries. We are a very mixed group and have regular walkers who have challenging special needs.

We walk whatever the weather every Tuesday, leaving from HT at 2pm. We walk along the Clay Trail for a total of about 3 miles, and then many choose to migrate to Trinity Café for a drink and some cake.

This walk is not just about encouraging people to take exercise, but it is a community and for some, it might be the only point in the week when they experience some social interaction and a warm welcome.

Heather Batho

Prayer Ministry Report

During the past year prayer ministry has grown and developed at Holy Trinity. Previously it was mainly available at the end of gatherings but now increasingly there is time set aside within each of the gatherings for opportunity for prayer. In order to facilitate this more members of the congregation have been mobilised to pray.

Jonathan has run two training sessions and we are grateful to the new folk who have been willing to support. Prayer ministry continues to be offered after the morning gathering for anyone who would like it. It is certainly a joy that prayer ministry has now become an integral part to our worship. In simple terms we ask the question, “What is the Lord saying and how do I respond to this?” The space given provides a place where we allow the Holy Spirit to bring his love, grace, mercy and goodness into our lives. It is a place where we sense the unique presence of the Lord, both personally, and corporately as a church.

So, whether you feel you want lots of prayer, or just a little, prayer ministry is for us all. It is an opportunity to press into the Lord as he leads us in our journey together.

Thank you to all the team, both new and old, for your faithfulness over the past year. Clive Nichols

Life Groups

It’s been a joy to see our Life groups develop over the last year. We currently have ten life groups meeting at various times of the week. We met with the life group leaders before Christmas to pray together and share encouragements and different resources we have been using. Life groups are also a first point of contact for pastoral care and it’s been lovely to hear how people are supporting one another and meeting together for social occasions too. Life groups are a wonderful expression of church family and give the opportunity for growth in so many areas of our lives. If you aren’t already in a group and wish to join one, please do get in touch with one of us or the office.

Jonny and Lesley April 2025

St Levan’s Report

St Levan’s has continued to thrive and grow throughout the year, with numbers attending typically hovering between mid 20s and low 30s. Our Associate Minister

and Reader Alan Gilbert continues to lead us with wisdom and dedication despite having given up driving this year.

Our willing volunteers are too many to list but highlights include Jim Bushrod who tames vegetation around the perimeter of the church and has replaced our inside lighting with LED bulbs this year as well as tackling our ailing outside vestry door and frame. Nigel Bloxham has been inspired to turn our lower plot into a garden for the congregation, community and parish and with the able assistance of Marguerite Coke’s husband, Marcus, has cleared, tilled and seeded the plot ready for planting. We hope Nigel will see the realisation of his vision before his forthcoming move to Norfolk: he will be much missed. Maggie Barlow has played the organ for us frequently this year and it is always a joy to sing praises with beautiful live music. Alan Coode has taken on the role of secretary of the St Levan’s Committee this year and keeps us efficiently organised with minutes, agenda and meeting dates. He and Roger Kirkpatrick alongside Sara Moult have all mastered using I Sing on the computer with the new screens, installed by Jamie Moore and Keith Palmer. Jamie also trained the operators with exemplary skill and patience. The talented Lizzie Haskins has led with our flowers and the Vicar chairs our committee meetings. Our rota of readers, intercessors and refreshers is always full.

Our Life Group “Homegrown” meets weekly on Thursday afternoons usually at Polcarne, the home of Cathy and Alan Coode and we are grown to around twelve in number. Homegrown and the wider congregation are a welcoming and loving family, supporting each other is living and growing in faith.

This year we have acquired our stylish and elegant kitchenette constructed from timber felled, seasoned and donated by Alan Coode and constructed to his design, approved by the committee. The church has also just had its first quinquennial inspection and the report is to hand.

Incidents of note include the blowing over of a large length of the boundary fence to Rosemary Cottage and its repair at the parish expense, subject to an agreement that any repairs required will be at the expense of the other party. In August we were invaded by colonies of angry displaced bees who forced us temporarily out of our place of worship and left a terrible mess behind them. We worshipped for one week in All Saints Pentewan who gave us shelter and the bill for humane rehousing of the bees was paid by our insurer aside from the usual excess.

Sara Moult

All Saints

It has been a rather variable period for all Saints Church Pentewan. It included a period before the new Vicar arrived, his first visits and a few indifferent services. The highlight was undoubtedly the Christmas Carol Gathering with an attendance of 91 including 3 children. Furthermore, there were only 4 from Holy Trinity, so the vast majority must have been locals who just wanted to enjoy singing carols in their own church!

A new door has been fixed to the outside toilet thanks to the efforts of Bonnie Zaphiriou. We have also had the roof surveyed and the gutters cleaned. There was a quinquennial survey conducted on 8th April, although little had changed since the one conducted in 2020. The church has also signed up to join the Cornwall Historic Churches Trust (CHCT). It is now possible to create a maintenance project that can be submitted to the PCC for costing and approval of some repairs.

Sadly, the number of regular helpers has diminished. There are really only 3 and if one is sick or on holiday, then the routine work falls to one person. Maybe it might be possible to have some periodic help from Holy Trinity? There is definitely a strong wish to keep the church open, even if it is only for High Days and Holidays. It is already a walkers’ church and during the summer months there is a stream of visitors who seem delighted to see an open church with refreshments available. We now have a card reading machine, so more money should be going to the Parish. The future remains uncertain and much prayer is needed.

Ralph Curr

Pastoral Report

Our prayer was that the whole church would look after one another and this seems to be fruitful. Each area of the church family keeps a careful eye on its flock (Families and young people,Inspire,Grain,Worship group etc ) We have still had termly meetings as the pastoral group and maintain contact as required through our Whatsapp group.

Jane Wingrove ( Pastoral Lead )

Anna Chaplaincy

This past year I have developed a strong relationship with Woodlands Care Home and Penrice.both of which I visit on a weekly visit,working with groups and spending time with individuals. I have had the privilege of spending time at the Hospice with patients at the end of life and when I haven't been able to respond Andrew Wade has stepped in.

We have also set up the Daisy Chain Cafe to provide a safe place for those who are grieving to come together and share their stories. We meet in Holy Trinity on the second Sunday of each month. We have only met 3 times so it's early days.

I'm now in discussions with Social Prescribing to establish a group of Anna Friends to support the NHS work with elderly and lonely people in St.Austell

Jane Wingrove ( Anna Chaplain ).

Home Communion

Home Communions were delivered to three residential homes: Penrice, Woodlands and Caprera once a month through the year except in December, when a services of lessons and carols were held just before Christmas, which was well received.

The team is small and has room to grow. With more members, it would be possible to cover more homes. As it is said in Matthew 9: 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Home Communions have also been brought to a person at their home.

Alan Coode, Co-ordinator

Precept Report

Precept Bible study groups have continued to meet on Zoom throughout 2024/25.

Participants come from St. Austell Parish as well as from other denominations throughout Cornwall, the UK and Worldwide.

During 2024/25 the Monday afternoon study group has just completed their study of Luke’s gospel.

During 2024/25 the Thursday evening study group has studied Acts, Fasting, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Titus.

Both groups are going on to study Jude in May. As always we have deepened our relationship with God through studying His word, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and have been challenged to live differently, in ways that please God, through what we have studied. We have enjoyed fellowship, friendship and laughter despite being many miles apart.

If you would like any further information please contact Diana Adams lydiaminerva@btinternet.com

Missions Report

Holy Trinity continues to financially support Katia Rocks £100 on a monthly basis. Holy Trinity was paired with Katia through Church Mission Society. Katia is based in Florianopolis in Brazil. Katia is a single Mum with two children, Joanna and Davi. Katia was diagnosed with cancer last year and has been receiving treatment, from which she is recovering. Katia is in Leadership of Vineyard Brazil and is planning to ordained later this year. Katia’s work into the women’s prisons has been cancelled by the prison director however they are still able to go in and do their monthly evangelism.

Many thanks to Caroline Allsup-Evans for keeping the family of Holy Trinity updated with news of Katia in the notice sheet as and when we receive it.

During the transition period of Jonathon’s arrival, Paul and I did meet regarding going forward with Missions. We both felt that it was best to wait and see how Jonathon wanted to proceed with missions.

Alison Hanson

Bellringers’ Report

The year has been one of mixed fortunes. This year we have welcomed a number of visiting ringing groups and it has always been a pleasure to meet ringers from near and far. With the increasing usage of the church for events other than church services it can be difficult to fit visit requests from various groups. On one occasion we had to “encourage” wedding guests to leave resulting in a misunderstanding between the groups. This led to the guest ringers not realising they needed to pull the clock hammers away from the bells before ringing up resulting in severe damage to the clock chimes mechanism. Fortunately, the ensuing damage was covered by the church insurance!

With the move to single Sunday morning gatherings are now delighted to be ringing at the more socially acceptable time of 9.30-10.00am. I understand the neighbours are grateful for another hour of uninterrupted sleep. We have a maximum of 6 ringers for our 8 bells. With problems of work patterns for some, holidays and illness it is difficult to ring more than 4 or 5 bells each Sunday. We hope to recruit more ringers soon. We still have to stop ringing for the arrival of the congregation! We prefer not to lasso our friends!

Plans are progressing for a new ringing floor above the level of the entrance doors with access via a staircase. This will incorporate the long-planned piazza and good disabled access.

Rupert Adkins

Tower Captain

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell

Statement Of Financial Activities
for the Year ended 31st December 2024
Note
Incoming Resources
Donations and Legacies
2(a)
Charitable Activities
2(b)
Other Trading Activities
Investment Income
2(c)
Total Incoming Resources
Resources Used
Church Activities
3(a)
Net Surplus/Deficit on Ordinary Activities
Other Resources Used Capital Items
Trinity Centre Refurbishment & Café Fitting Out
3(b)
Transforming Mission - Provisioning Exp - Equip. etc.
3(b)
Net Outgoing/Incoming Resources
(Before Other Recognised Gains and Losses)
(Loss)/Gains on Investments ref. mkt value @ 31-12-2024
5(b)
Net Income/(Expenditure)
Transfers Between Funds
Other Recognised Gains/(Losses)
Capitalised Expenditure **
3(b)
Gains and Losses on Revaluation of Property
Other Gains/(losses)
Net Movement In Funds
Reserves - Balances B/Fwd At 1st January 2024
Reserves - Balances C/Fwd At 31st December 2024
Memo - Of Which The Revaluation Reserve is -
Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
5(a)
Trinity Café (St Austell) Ltd - Share Capital
5 (b)
Investment Assets
5(c)
Current Assets
Stock (Café Ingredients)
Debtors
6
Cash At Bank & In-Hand
Liabilities; Creditors; Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year
7(a)
Net Current Assets
Creditors - Amounts falling Due Over 1 year
7(b)
Net Assets
Funds
Endowment
9
Restricted
8
Unrestricted
9
Revaluation Reserve
9		 Un restricted R
Funds
£
209,545
16,559
63,927
4,736
294,767
301,549
(6,782)
(6,782)
(6,782)
(23,645)
(30,427)
226,341
195,914
46,245

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell Statement Of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31st December 2024

Notes Con't

2. Incoming Resources
2(a) Voluntary Income
Planned Giving - Covenant
Donations, Appeals Etc
Collections
Contactless Devices
Tax Recoverable
Other Grants Received
Legacies
2(b) Charitable Activities
Missional Grants (Incl. TM Funding)
Fund Raising
Add:-
Income From Other Qualifying Church Activities
Rental incl Wayleaves
Income from Church Hall Site
Fees
Total Income From Charitable Activities
Income from Other Trading Activities
Café
Revenue from Sales of Books, Cards etc.
2(c) Income From Investments
Dividends
Interest
Total Incoming Resources		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
Comparitive
138,632
10,065
5,924
6,290
29,467
8,798
14,500
213,676
1,516
8,163
4,376
14,055
14,055
135
135
3,497
1,358
4,855
232,721		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
139,959
14,983
4,813
6,168
33,622
10,000
209,545
1,203
150
1,353
2,622
8,860
3,724
15,206
16,559
3,363
1,373
4,736
230,840		 Trading
Restricted
Restricted
Income
Funds
Funds
(Café)
Tr'form'g. Miss.
( Tr. Centre)
£
£
£
3,385
428
3,813
113,752
113,752
113,752
63,927
63,927
63,927
113,752
3,813		 Restricted
Funds
(Fabric)
£
7,344
7,344
7,344		 Restricted
Funds
(CAP)
£
8,720
375
9,095
9,095		 Total Funds
2024
£
139,959
27,088
4,813
6,168
34,425
10,000
222,453
114,955
150
115,105
2,622
8,860
3,724
15,206
130,311
63,927
63,927
3,363
8,717
12,080
428,771		 Total Funds
2023
£
138,632
37,885
5,924
6,290
36,830
25,764
14,500
265,825
95,126
95,126
1,516
8,163
4,376
14,055
109,181
11,194
135
11,329
3,497
8,148
11,645
397,980

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell Statement Of Financial Activities for the Year ended 31st December 2024

Notes Con't

3(a) Church Activities- Ordinary Expenditure
Missionary and Charitable Giving
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Ministry : Diocesan Quota
Clergy Costs
Parish Training & Mission Resources
Other Ministry Costs
Church :- Repairs & Maintenance
Insurance
Utilities
Upkeep Of Services
Depreciation of Equipment
Organist
Trinity Car Park
Children & Youth Expenditure
Church Fabric (Incl. Re-ordering)
Trinity Centre - Consultancy/Costs of Fund raising)
Staff Costs & Honorarium
Telephone & Broadband
Property Costs - Trinity Centre
General Office Expenses
Costs Of Trading
Miscellaneous
Loan Interest
Bank Charges
Total Ordinary (Operating) Expenditure
Net Surplus/(Deficit) on Ordinary Activities
Transfers Between Funds - Incoming/(Outgoing)
Capital Transfers
TM Funding - Parish Contr'n
Trinity Centre - Refurbishment Expenditure
Net Movement in Funds**		 Unrestricted
Funds
2023
24
62,339
3,589
2,731
4,278
9,680
18,648
5,715
9,647
1,135
1,108
2,324
17
34,967
380
27,107
6,177
700
6,781
381
197,728
34,993
(4,118)
(28,955)
1,920		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
3,791
67,544
67
5,343
1,205
11,430
13,894
11,846
5,767
8,227
638
4,075
3,908
36,690
26,012
8,674
800
7,344
498
217,753
13,087
(19,869)
(23,645)
(30,427)		 Trading
Restricted
Restricted
Income
Funds
Funds
(Café)
Tr'form'g. Miss.
( Tr. Centre)
£
£
£
119,250
960
83,796
18,147
83,796
137,397
960
(19,869)
(23,645)
2,853
19,869
23,645
-
-
2,853		 Restricted
Funds
(Fabric)
£
2,326
1,350
3,676
3,668
3,668		 Restricted
Funds
(CAP)
£
5,394
11,876
17,270
(8,175)
(8,175)		 Total Funds
2024
£
3,791
5,394
67,544
67
5,343
1,205
13,756
13,894
11,846
5,767
8,227
638
4,075
3,908
1,350
167,816
26,972
8,674
101,943
800
7,344
498
460,852
(32,081)
(32,081)		 Total Funds
2023
£
59
6,183
62,339
3,589
2,731
7,096
9,680
18,648
5,715
9,647
1,135
1,108
2,324
1,107
17
156,799
380
27,577
6,177
22,336
700
6,781
381
352,509
45,471
(91,944)
(46,473)

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell

Notes Con't

4. Staff Costs Amount £ (a) Wages & Salaries 233,013 Employers National Insurance 9,630 Employers Pension Contributions 3,920 Estimate Of Average No. Of Full Time Equivalent Employees 7.1

(b) Payments to PCC members

The Operations Manager, Worship Minister and Pioneer Miniser are members or have served on the PCC during the year and their election has been approved by the PCC on the basis that the best interests of the PCC are being so served.

Their renumeration was £18,003, £33,338, and £21,005 respectively, in the financial year.

5. Fixed Assets

5(a) Tangible
Freehold
Property
Equipment
£
£
Actual Deemed/Cost at 1st January
1,942,733
89,860
Additions During The Year
-
6,613
Demolition/Disposals During The Year
Revaluations During The Year
Balance At 1st December 2024
1,942,733
96,473
Depreciation At 1st January
-
(35,370)
Charge For Year
(8,227)
Adjustments Demolition/Disposals/Reval'n During The Year
Balance At 1st December 2024
1,942,733
(43,597)
Net Book Value At 31st December 2024
£0
£1,942,733
£52,876
Memo - Of Which Revaluation of Assets Accounts for -
1,995,609
£46,245
2024		 Freehold
Property
£
1,884,412
58,321
1,942,733
-
1,942,733
£1,942,733
£46,245		 Equipment
£
53,624
36,236
89,860
(25,723)
(9,647)
(35,370)
£54,490
2023

The tangible assets consist of the freehold land, buildings and equipment. The freehold land and buildings comprise the former church hall site and car park and the Trinity Centre (formerly Hop & Vine) located in St Austell. Valuation is based Open Market and these have been carried out within the last 3 years. The Revaluation Reserve gives the uplift in value from the Historic Cost. Equipment is depreciated at 25% reducing balance. Buildings are not depreciated based on assumptions of long life expectancy and high residual value.

5(b) Investment in Trinity Café (St Austell) Ltd

The PCC established and incorporated the café on the 25th July 2024 Company No.15858843 operating in St Austell town centre) (Prior to incorporation is was run through the church - please see notes 2 and 3 for trading results for this period). The nature of the business is a Café serving hot and cold food, snacks and drinks and related goods. The PCC owns 100% of the shares and has control of the company

At the 31st December 2024 the aggregate value of capital and reserves was (£7,756) e.g. negative equity.

Herewith a summary Profit and Loss Account:-
Turnover (i.e. sales) 51,106
Cost of sales and/or direct expenses (optional line) 43,707
Gross profit 7,399
Less:- Administrative or operating expenses 15,155
Net profit/(Loss) before tax (7,756)
Gift Aid donation to the parent charity 0
Retained profit (if any) 0
Intercompany balance owed to PCC 15,523

The Director's two of whom are on the PCC are of the opinion that this first year loss is not unexpected given that this is a start-up business. There has been a reduction in management staffing and other cost cutting measures have been taken together with pricing changes. A growth in turnover and with the creation of the Piazza in the church grounds opposite the café - creating the potential for additional customers being able to sit outside, they believe that there are grounds for optimism that the Café will see a turnaround in it's trading position in the coming year. (Early results for the first quarter results for 2025 are supporting this view).

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell

Notes Con't

5 (c) Other Investments- Deposit and Investment Funds
Market Value 1st January
Unrealised investment (loss)/gain in year
Market value at 31st December 2024
Cost At 31st December 2024
6 Debtors
Income Tax recoverable
Transforming Mission Grants Receivable
Intercompany Debtors
Prepayments and Accrued Income
7. Liabilities
7(a) Creditors ; Amounts falling due within one year
Boscoppa Church (Agency a/c)
General Creditors, Accruals and Deferred income
Outside Giving - Funds held for Distribution
Parochial Church Council Of St Austell
Notes Con't
7(b) Creditors - Amounts falling Due Over 1 year
Truro Diocese TM Loan (5 Year Term Repayment 2/12/26)
Private Loans (Church & Trinity Project)
Repayment terms 3-5 years/variable		 2024
£
114,312
394
114,706
13,341
6,723
20,000
15,523
1,572
43,818
8,716
40,041
48,757
25,000
438,000
463,000		 2023
£
105,295
9,017
114,312
13,341
3,731
18,389
1,680
23,800
14,053
258
14,311
25,000
438,000
463,000

Loans are interest free. Private loans include loans from members of th PCC (Heather Batho £100,000 and Richard Rashleigh £298,000)

Parochial Church Council Of St Austell

Notes Con't

  1. Funds

Restricted Funds Movement

==> picture [421 x 110] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Church Transforming Trinity CAP
Total Fabric Mission Centre & Café
Balance at 1st January 2024 1,408,617 176,767 1,214,895 16,955
Incoming Resources 134,004 7,344 113,752 3,813 9,095
1,542,621 184,111 113,752 1,218,708 26,050
Resources Expended (159,303) (3,676) (137,397) (960) (17,270)
Transfers To/From General Fund 23,645 - 23,645 - -
Balance at 31st December 2024 £1,406,963 £180,435 - £1,217,748 £8,780
----- End of picture text -----

9 Analysis of net assets by Fund
Fixed Assets - Tangible
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Net Current Assets
Creditors - Amounts falling Due Over 1 year
Adj. Re Fixed Asset Revaluations (Trf to Separate Reserve)
Fund Balance
Note Revaluation Reserve Disclosed separately		 Unrestricted
General
Fund
£
335,943		 Unrestricted
General
Fund
£
335,943		 Total Funds
Fabric
Endowment
Trinity
Funds
Funds
TM
Centre & Café
CAP
Agency
2024
£
£
£
£
£
1,659,666
1,995,609
150,000
114,706
114,706
150,000
114,706
1,659,666
2,110,315
30,798
29,175
(3,918)
8,780
20,750
119,024
(363)
(4,175)
(20,750)
(48,757)
30,435
25,000
(3,918)
8,780
70,267
(25,000)
(438,000)
(463,000)
(46,245)
180,435
114,706
1,217,748
8,780
1,717,582
<-------------------------------------------Restricted------------------------------------------->
(150,000) 150,000
185,943
33,439
(23,469)
9,970
(46,245)
149,668
46,245		 150,000
30,798
(363)
30,435
180,435

10 Audit and Accountancy Fees

Independent Examiners Fee

2024 2023 £ £ 800 700

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST AUSTELL

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31[st ] December 2024, which are set out on Pages 1 to 4, is in respect of an examination carries out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ('the Regulations') and section 43 of the Charities Act 1993 ('the Act').

Respective Responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that the audit requirements of the Regulations and section 43(2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.

Basis of this report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity commission under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church Guidance 2006 edition, issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishops' Council. The examination includes a review of accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in and audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts.

Independent examiner's statement.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements. To keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and Regulations have not been met: or

  2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

ee.| Tina Kelly 25[th] April 2025

Cuckoo House, Marshall Road, Nanstallon, Bodmin, Cornwall. PL30 5LD

Finance Report for the year ended 31[st] Dec. 2024

The accounts of the PCC are best viewed in two separate parts, namely those activities associated with what are termed Unrestricted Funds (funds that can be spent on any expense, routine or otherwise, that the church incurs in the course of carrying out its work) and those associated with Restricted funds (where money is specifically given and handled according to defined criteria e.g. for the maintenance of the Church’s buildings and fabric).

Overview to the 2024 Accounts

Before proceeding with the detailed section of the report, it is worth briefly commenting on the main events and activities of the past year. Transforming Mission initiative is being actively and confidently carried out within the benefice and also reaching out into the wider Deanery. On a general note with regard to this, although the early years of this initiative have been mainly funded by the Diocese in partnership with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England, our contribution has been increasing each year - on the basis that church growth will aim to provide the funding required to support the mission in the longer term. (The accounts show that our contribution to the initiative in 2024 was £23,645. In the coming year this is predicted to rise to around £45,000 and will rise again in 2026, after which current grant support will cease).

Turning to the Trinity Café. The café was run until the 24[th] July within church operations, thereafter it was incorporated - as Trinity Café (St Austell) Ltd. As a start-up, unfortunately the Café - whilst getting established – made a loss of £19,869 (within the church period till 24[th] July) and a loss of £7,756 (for the period of incorporation until 31[st] December. Despite this the directors hold a positive outlook, noting that the café is popular and enjoys good reviews on both social media and elsewhere. The situation has already seen a significant improvement in recent quarters (due to cost-cutting and pricing adjustments). They therefore remain optimistic that the café is on track to reach break-even or even turn a profit in 2025 (refer to note 5b in the accounts for further details). They would also like to mention that the ongoing support from the church congregation and friends is greatly appreciated and helping to shape the café into a warm and lively gathering place, strengthening its role as a vital link between the church and the wider community.

Commentary on Unrestricted Funds

The headline result for our principal church activities was a surplus of £13,087 however after deducting out TM contribution (£23,645) and startup support for the cafe of (£19,869) this turned into a deficit of £30,427.

Income. (Please also refer to the expanded income statement in the notes and commentary section of the accounts)

Total income for Unrestricted Funds was £230,840 which is slightly down on 2023 (£1,881). Commenting on particular items, Planned Giving was £139,959 (up £1,327). General one-off donations were up by £4,918 at £14,983 (from £10,065 in 2023) but are clearly unpredictable in nature. We have also benefitted legacies of £10,000. Total Voluntary giving by church members including tax recovered through Gift Aid came to £209,545 (down on 2023 by £4,131). Other income (including dividends, the car park and fees) came to £15,206 against £14,055 in the previous year. Expenditure . Total expenditure on Unrestricted funds was £217,753 – an increase of £20,025 on 2023. The major changes were an increase in the MMF charge from the Diocese of £5,205, Charitable Giving of £3,767 (see paragraph below on missional support), Church Repairs £7,152 (principally Porthpean church – kitchen and boundary fencing repairs and improvements), Insurance £4,214, Car Park £2,967 (stable repairs and car park perimeter maintenance and repairs), Office Staff Costs by £1,723, Office Expenses £2,497. However, there were savings too – in utilities £6,801 (in large part refunds of overcharged VAT), and Trinity Centre £1,095

In terms of the church’s Missional support our TM contribution (shown below expenditure in the table (in Transfers) is mission orientated albeit more locally focussed and came to £23,645.

Also, our mission partner Katia Rocks in Brazil is also receiving help from our mission reserve fund £1,200 p.a. as does CAP (£1,800 p.a.) and Bibles in Schools (£500).

Property Costs The freehold land and buildings comprise Trinity Centre (formerly the Hop & Vine) together with the Church Car Park located in St Austell. Valuation is based Open Market valuations, as reviewed within the last 3 years. The Revaluation Reserve gives the uplift in value from the Historic Cost .

Restricted Funds

For Restricted Funds, income normally comes from specifically designated grants, appeals and legacies. The total income came to £134,004 in 2024 of which £3,813 was money received towards the Trinity Centre and £113,752 was funding received towards Transforming Mission by the Diocese, and £9,095 towards CAP (Christians Against Poverty), which is administered by our church with the funds raised principally from the local churches (St Austell Churches Together) and other sponsors, and is ringfenced for use in local debt relief.

Total expenditure on Restricted Funds was £159,303. This includes £137,397 related to Transforming Mission -staffing and resourcing and £17,270 to CAP Staffing and Resourcing. Reserves Policy

2025 Action

As a general objective - your PCC will continue to aim to achieve equilibrium between its income and expenditure, and maintain adequate free reserves to ensure the smooth running of the church’s financial affairs. With rising costs and the increase in the PCC’s share of the support costs to maintain the TM mission, it remains to be said that the continuing and generous support and commitment of the PCC and congregation will be essential in meeting the challenges that face us and making the most of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Richard Rashleigh Treasurer St Austell PCC

Your PCC has agreed a Reserves policy (on the Free Reserves) of holding up to £50,000 as a Critical Reserve, and up to a further £50,000 as Discretionary Reserves (to maintain Children’s & Youth work, seed fund initiatives, provide money for new or replacement office equipment and as general contingency).

At the year end the net current assets (Free Reserves) stood at £9,970 as against £11,452 at the end of 2023. Restricted Reserves which relate to the Church Fabric, Trinity Centre and CAP Funds) stood at £1,406,963. However, of this £150,000 is held as an internal investment loan to the General Fund which supported the initial purchase of the Trinity Centre.

Investments Policy

Your PCC has approved an investment policy that enables program related investments where the risk has been assessed as acceptable and provided a prudent level of cash reserves are retained to cover anticipated expenditure as well as possible contingencies that may arise. A more detailed policy statement is available for inspection. This policy has allowed for the loan arrangement set in place as described in the Reserves section above.